NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Wild vs Golden Knights (Monday, February 12)
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) Pictured: Adin Hill
Wild vs. Golden Knights Odds
| Wild Odds | +122 |
| Golden Knights Odds | -146 |
| Over / Under | 5.5 -128 / +105 |
Here's everything you need to know about the Minnesota Wild vs. Vegas Golden Knights on Monday, February 12 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
As the finale to Monday's four-game NHL slate, the Wild head to the desert for a quick two-game road trip that kicks off in Las Vegas. Seventeen points separate these teams in the standings, but both are playing well at the moment.
This will be the first of three meetings between Minnesota and Vegas this year. Here's my Wild vs. Golden Knights prediction and why bettors should expect a low-scoring affair.
After a disastrous start to the season, the Wild's fortunes began to improve after John Hynes took over from Dean Evason behind the bench. Under Hynes' watch, Minnesota is 18-13-1. Even though they're controlling less than 49% of expected goals at 5-on-5 under Hynes, they've gone from allowing 3.95 goals per game during Evason's tenure to just 2.88 since Hynes took over.
Filip Gustavsson had started the past five games before Marc-Andre Fleury's dramatic win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday, so expect the 25-year-old to get the nod in Vegas. He had an .881 save percentage when Evason was fired, but has bounced back to .908 during the Hynes regime, and has allowed three or fewer goals in each of his past five starts.
Up front, Marcus Foligno suffered a lower-body injury against Pittsburgh that is expected to keep him out for at least the next couple of games. Winger Adam Beckman has been recalled from the Iowa Wild for the second time in a week, but hasn't seen any NHL game action yet this year.
Welcome back, Adin Hill. After missing the better part of two months with an undisclosed injury, the Stanley Cup winning goalie hasn't missed a beat since his return. He has played four of five games for Vegas and has won all four, allowing just seven goals. He's now 14-2-2 for the year.
Vegas hasn't played since last Thursday, and won't be in action again until Saturday, so there's every reason to expect that a well-rested Hill will get the start against the Wild.
Elsewhere in the lineup, the Golden Knights are also starting to get healthier. William Karlsson has been back in the lineup for two games, and has two points, and Shea Theodore practiced in a non-contact jersey on Saturday. That marked his first appearance with the team since undergoing surgery back in November, but there's still no timetable for his return to game action.
Monday's game also marks an important milestone for a key member of the Golden Knights. Defenseman Alex Pietrangelo will suit up for his 1,000th NHL game, most likely with the accompanying presentation of his silver stick and other gifts.
Wild vs. Golden Knights
Betting Pick & Prediction
As Vegas rounds back into form, a moneyline of -140 as of Sunday evening isn't bad value for the defending Stanley Cup champions. But with the Wild also playing some responsible defensive hockey, this is also shaping up to be a goalie battle.
With Caesars offering a -120 line for Under 6 goals, it makes sense to target the total here.
Pick: Under 6 (-120 at Caesars Sportsbook; play down to -130)
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